Saturday, August 05, 2006

Aviation Brigade Called to Duty

Soldiers from the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, representing 44 different states, stand in front of a crowd of more than 1,000 family members and friends during an official send-off ceremony at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

Members of the color guard pass a formation of soldiers from the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade during an official send-off ceremony at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006.U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

Members of the color guard stand at attention during an official send-off ceremony for the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

A formation of UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters passes overhead during an official send-off ceremony for the soldiers of the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore, commander of the 1st U.S. Army, speaks to the soldiers of the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade and their family members and friends during an official send-off ceremony at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

U.S. Army Col. Vernon A. Sevier Jr., left, commander of the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, and Command Sgt. Maj. Bradley Brandt, right, fold the brigade’s flag to prepare it for deployment to Iraq during an official send-off ceremony at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

A soldier from the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade greets a family member, who is a World War II veteran, after the completion of the official send-off ceremony at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

A soldier from the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade holds her daughter after the completion of the official send-off ceremony at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

MEDEVAC MISSION — U.S. Army UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter pilots deployed to the 1st Forward Support Medical Team prepare for a medical evacuation mission near Tal Afar, Iraq, July 30, 2006. The pilots are assigned to the 542nd Medical Company (Air Ambulance) out of Fort Campbell, Ky. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey

In Today's News - Saturday, August 5, 2006

Quote of the Day"Our top focus - protecting our Nation - must go beyond homeland preparedness; America will only be secure if we deal with threats before they happen, not just after they happen."-- Senator Bill Frist

Today in History1264 - Anti-Jewish riots break out in Arnstadt, Germany.1861 - The U.S. Army abolishes flogging.1861 - The U.S. levies its first Income Tax (3% on income over $800)1864 - During the Battle of Mobile Bay, AL, Admiral David Farragut gives the order, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"1884 - The cornerstone for Statue of Liberty is laid.1914 - In Cleveland, the first traffic light is installed; The U.S. and Nicaragua sign a treaty granting canal rights to U.S.1923 - Henry Sullivan becomes the first American to swim the English Channel.1924 - The "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip debuts.1936 - In Berlin, Jesse Owens wins his third Olympic medal.1937 - The U.S. Ranger beats England's Endeavour II in the 17th America's Cup.1945 - The Atom Bomb is dropped on Hiroshima (Aug 6th in Japan).1953 - In Operation "Big Switch" Korean War prisoners are exchanged at Panmunjom.1960 - Upper Volta gains independence from France.1962 - Nelson Mandela is arrested for incitement and illegally leaving South Africa.1963 - The U.S., Britain, and the U.S.S.R. sign a nuclear test ban treaty.1964 - The U.S. begins bombing North Vietnam.1966 - Martin Luther King Jr is pelted with stones during a Chicago march.1969 - Mariner 7 flies past Mars.1973 - The U.S.S.R. launches Mars 6.1981 - President Regan fires 11,500 air traffic controllers, two days into their strike.1985 - Larry Tudor sets a flexible-wing glider altitude record (214,250').1988 - Mario Biaggi (Rep-NY) resigns his seat after his conviction for racketeering